Since the first oil well was drilled in America Titusville Since 1859, Pennsylvania has been a pioneer in the development of energy production in our nation.
Today, the industry provides nearly 500,000 jobs to the Keystone State and contributes more than $75 billion to the state’s economy.
With Vice President Kamala Harris now the presumptive Democratic nominee, all that progress and hope is at risk.
If Harris becomes president, her policies and vision could far surpass the disastrous first four years of the Biden-Harris administration’s energy policy.
A quick check of the tape reveals a number of areas of concern.
During her 2019 presidential run, Harris declared, “There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.”
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a proven drilling technique used to extract oil, natural gas, geothermal energy or water from deep underground.
It is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy, particularly in the Marcellus Shale region, supporting approximately 123,000 jobs and providing livelihoods to families across the state.
President Biden’s suspension of liquefied natural gas exports this year sent waves of concern through Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry.
The White House statement emphasized that this was not Biden’s decision alone, but that of the Biden-Harris Administration.
This move not only put jobs at risk, it undermined the economic stability of communities that rely on natural gas in my state and across the nation.
Criticism of the decision has not come only from opponents of the Biden administration.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey Jr. expressed dissenting opinion This comes as the Biden-Harris administration suspends LNG exports.
After the ill-fated debate between Biden and Donald Trump, Fetterman emerged as one of the president’s staunchest defenders, while Casey voted for Biden. 99% of the time.
Even Governor Josh Shapiro Harris’ possible vice presidential candidate Expressing Concerns Their criticism of the suspension speaks volumes about the flawed nature of the policy.
A ban on fracking would lead to the loss of thousands of jobs and be devastating to communities that depend on the industry.
The economic impact will be severe, but it will go far beyond that.
Energy prices will inevitably rise, putting further strain on households already struggling with inflation.
Rising energy costs affect everyone, but hit low- and middle-income households hardest, with two-thirds of Americans reporting they run out of money before payday. MarketWatch Analysis.
Harris didn’t intend to stop there.
In 2019, she emerged as a champion of the so-called Green New Deal, an extreme policy that calls for America to become completely reliant on so-called “green” energy by 2050.
The plan’s chief backer, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), acknowledges that the cost could be as much as $10 trillion, which, ironically, is the same astronomical figure put forward by Harris’ 2020 climate action plan.
The Green New Deal would end all conventional energy production and the jobs it creates.
Harris is calling for “the ability to transition” for those who are unemployed.
It’s not something to feel reassured about.
As national Democrats move away from common sense energy policy, they are losing voters.
The advantage of registered Democrats in the state has fallen to just 4%.
Compare this to a 12% advantage in 2008.
The number of independents registered is also on the rise, another sign that Pennsylvanians want more moderate leaders.
Not only are Harris’ policies bad for energy in Pennsylvania, but she will have a hard time winning Pennsylvania’s votes.
So Harris’ campaign announced an abrupt change of heart, claiming she no longer plans to ban fracking.
Major policy shifts like this should come from the candidate themselves, not anonymous campaign associates. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Harris campaign wants us Pennsylvanians to be gullible.
Pennsylvania’s energy industry isn’t just about jobs and prices, it’s also about energy independence.
The ability to produce and export natural gas strengthens America’s position in global energy markets and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
This independence is critical to national security and economic stability, both of which are being undermined by Biden-Harris policies that target natural gas production and exports.
Imagine how much worse it would be under a Harris presidency.
My family has called Pennsylvania home for over a century.
I want my state to thrive and for the next generation to have the same opportunities I had.
That won’t be possible if the next president interferes with our ability to remain America’s second-largest energy producer.
What we need in November is energy policy reform, not a strengthening of the status quo.
I hope we get what we deserve.
Republican Joseph Pitts represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2017, serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee and as chairman of the committee’s Health Subcommittee.
